diff --git a/scenes/main.gd b/scenes/main.gd
index 48be9c1..eba0b42 100644
--- a/scenes/main.gd
+++ b/scenes/main.gd
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ var touch_controls
 
 # Minimal local state
 var _connection_check_timer: float = 0.0
+var tile_respawn_timers = {} # Tracks removed tiles: {Vector2i(x,z): respawn_time_msec}
 
 func _ready():
 	# Initialize scene managers
@@ -49,6 +50,14 @@ func _ready():
 		randomize_game_grid()
 		_setup_tile_respawn_timer()
 		
+		# Targeted 5s Respawn Timer for empty spots
+		var respawn_check_timer = Timer.new()
+		respawn_check_timer.name = "RespawnCheckTimer"
+		respawn_check_timer.wait_time = 0.5
+		respawn_check_timer.autostart = true
+		respawn_check_timer.timeout.connect(_check_respawns)
+		add_child(respawn_check_timer)
+		
 func _on_goal_count_updated(peer_id: int, count: int):
 	# Only update for local player
 	if peer_id == multiplayer.get_unique_id():
@@ -1120,11 +1129,41 @@ func request_randomize_item(grid_position: Vector2i):
 	if multiplayer.is_server():
 		randomize_item_at_position(grid_position)
 
+func _check_respawns():
+	"""Check tile respawn timers and spawn items if ready."""
+	if not multiplayer.is_server():
+		return
+		
+	var current_time = Time.get_ticks_msec()
+	var tiles_to_respawn = []
+	
+	for pos in tile_respawn_timers.keys():
+		if current_time >= tile_respawn_timers[pos]:
+			tiles_to_respawn.append(pos)
+			
+	for pos in tiles_to_respawn:
+		print("[Main] Respawning tile at ", pos)
+		randomize_item_at_position(pos)
+		tile_respawn_timers.erase(pos)
+
 @rpc("any_peer", "call_local", "reliable")
 func sync_grid_item(x: int, y: int, z: int, item: int):
 	var enhanced_gridmap = $EnhancedGridMap
 	if enhanced_gridmap:
 		enhanced_gridmap.set_cell_item(Vector3i(x, y, z), item)
+		
+	# Server logic for respawns
+	if multiplayer.is_server() and y == 1:
+		var pos = Vector2i(x, z)
+		if item == -1:
+			# Item removed - schedule respawn 5s later
+			tile_respawn_timers[pos] = Time.get_ticks_msec() + 10000
+			print("[Main] Scheduled respawn for tile at %s in 10s" % pos)
+		else:
+			# Item placed - cancel pending respawn
+			if tile_respawn_timers.has(pos):
+				tile_respawn_timers.erase(pos)
+				print("[Main] Cancelled respawn for tile at %s (occupied)" % pos)
 
 	# Sync grid update (no need to sync whole grid if we do it at start, but if we do it late we might need to sync)
 	# For simplicity, we trust the grid syncs via normal mechanisms or initial state.
diff --git a/scripts/managers/ui_manager.gd b/scripts/managers/ui_manager.gd
index 8b5edb3..2440b89 100644
--- a/scripts/managers/ui_manager.gd
+++ b/scripts/managers/ui_manager.gd
@@ -63,7 +63,6 @@ func initialize(player_node):
 	# Connect PlayerName label (Level/XP/Name UI)
 	player_name_label = player_node.get_node_or_null("PlayerName")
 
-# ... (skipping unchanged functions) ...
 
 func set_local_player(player):
 	local_player_character = player